Learn how to handle a horse at The Horse Trust this Autumn half-term

The Horse Trust is planning an action-packed schedule of activities during Autumn half-term at its sanctuary in Speen, Buckinghamshire.

The sanctuary will be open 2 – 4pm every day, except Tuesdays and Wednesdays, between Saturday 22nd October and Sunday 30th October. On Saturday 22nd and 29th, staff at the sanctuary will be running a new demonstration for visitors, showing them how to handle a horse.

“We’ll be showing visitors how to catch and lead a horse,” said Liane Crowther, Welfare Development Manager at The Horse Trust. “We will also talk about horse behaviour and explain why horses react to things in the way that they do”

A demonstration from local farrier Jonathan Smith is planned for Friday 28th October. On Monday 24th, Thursday 27th and Friday 28th, staff will be running in-depth grooming demonstrations. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about why we groom horses, what brushes to use and when, as well as finding our more about the anatomy of the horse.

Younger visitors will be able to take part in “have a go at grooming” sessions for a small donation to the charity. Have a go at grooming sessions will take place on Monday, Thursday and Friday at 2:15pm and 3:15pm.

Visitors can also meet many of the sanctuary’s resident horses, ponies and donkeys, including retired Merseyside Police horse Cracker, who arrived last week. All week, the charity will be selling its new range of Christmas cards and 2012 calendar, as well as other gift items.

The Horse Trust’s Home of Rest for Horses is open 2-4pm between Thursday and Monday until 30 October. From 31 October until April 2012, the sanctuary will be reverting to its winter opening hours, which are 2 – 4pm every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.